[TechAssist] Re: was I wrong with free trips, helping seniors?
- From: Al L <alleathe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 08:56:27 -0400
Been there doe that! The cheapest are the most demanding,and people that
don't work are usually bad news too.I explain to all of them what the
minimum is, and what it includes.
Al Leatherman
224 RT. 46
Mine Hill, NJ 07803
973-361-5796
WWW.ALS-TV.NET
----- Original Message -----
From: <fremur01@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 9:31 PM
Subject: [TechAssist] Re: was I wrong with free trips, helping seniors?
> John,
>
> I had a recent monitor call that was quite an eye
> opener. Recently I invested in a newer phone system
> that screens and routes calls along with clearly
> stating minimum on site service charges (which is $45
> by the way) etc. Anyway, so I get a message one day
> from this man who needed a monitor fixed. It was dead,
> and belonged to his daughter.
>
> The message was along the lines of "My screen is dead
> and I don't want to put over $45 in a monitor." So me
> trying to at least follow-up spoke with him called and
> explained that most pc monitors are not worth the
> trouble to fix, especially if under 17". Trying to be
> a good Samaritan I remembered having a few "test/spare
> 15" monitors" and offered to do a home service call
> and swap out the old one for the $45 fee. He agreed to
> that, got to his daughters house, (public housing by
> the way)...installed the unit and removed the old one.
> No complaints, he was rather pleased....
>
> It gets better...the other day his daughter calls with
> a generic "I have a few questions...please give me a
> call " message. Turns out this cheapskate was griping
> because the screen had a few scratches and it was hard
> for her to play games...Holy Moly!
>
> I practically gave them the monitor for free! What
> would a tow-truck driver do if a stranded motorist ran
> out of gas, he gives them a couple of gallons to get
> vehicle started.then have them gripe about whether it
> was name brand gas.
>
> Anyway, this last customer rubbed me the wrong way to
> say the least. I've always heard that beggars can't be
> choosey or something along those lines but that took
> the cake. Techs, Go with your gut feeling in the
> future when it comes to cheapskates. Let them know the
> charge upfront and bill for your expertise!!
>
> Fred
> MTS Electronics
> Fayetteville, NC
> fremur01@xxxxxxxxx
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> Phil and all,
>
> Let me relate an experience that has helped me
> throughout the years...
>
> Several years ago I was called out to service a
> customer's TV in the home.
> It was an NAP C5 chassis with a stuck relay. Now
> normally I would replace
> the relay as I have found that cleaning them is a
> temporary fix at best, but
> this little old lady was giving me a sob story about
> how broke she was, how
> this was her only entertainment, how she could not
> afford such an expensive
> repair.... (we have all heard it)
>
> Reluctantly I removed the cover and cleaned the relay
> contacts and restored
> the set to proper operation and handed her the bill
> for the service call
> only after listening to her for 30 minutes(as I felt
> sorry for her) . As
> she was writing out her check, and entering it in her
> checkbook, I noticed
> her checking account balance was slightly over
> $25,000.00 .
>
> No money? Cannot afford repair? Well....
>
> I learned then and there that it doesn't pay to feel
> sorry for someone, and
> I have since treated all customer's the same whether
> they complain or not.
> I give them the price, don't negotiate, and they can
> accept it or I will
> move on. When someone wants to negotiate, I tell them
> that this is the
> price, and the longer they keep me from doing my job
> the more expensive the
> repair will be. Do you think any other retailer will
> waive or reduce
> charges? I don't think so.
>
> You are ultimately responsible for your own destiny-
> Be professional and
> charge what the job is worth. In the long run, you
> may get a reputation for
> being "soft" and then you have to deal with those
> customers all the time.
> Remember, you do not know their situation nor do you
> need to- treat every
> one fairly and then you have nothing to worry about.
>
> JMHO
>
> John E. Wilkins Jr., CSM/A+
> Home TV Service
> 3468 So. Main St.
> Salt Lake City, Ut. 84115
>
> (801)486-5641
> fax (801)467-2294
>
> jwilkinsjr@xxxxxxxxx
>
> Proud Member of NESDA since 2000- are you? Check
> it out
> http://www.nesda.com
>
>
> .
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phil Bader" <tjanphyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Techassist-B (private)" <repair@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 1:58 PM
> Subject: [TechAssist-B] was I wrong with free trips,
> helping seniors?
>
>
>>I guess I'm not really bitter because maybe he really
> is hard up. But
>> here's how the "test case" went:
>> ;-)
>> Don't scold me,guys!
>> As you know, I picked up a senior man's 25" TV at
> lunch today.(waived
>> the trip charges,collected the 39.00 shop fee)
>> Sound, no pix.Sharp 25G-S60
>> At shop, found just a line across screen.
>> I found what I needed to fix it in parts. Vance has
> them.
>>
>> $79.00 Basic shop labor + about 30.00 parts.
>> 109.60 + tax.
>> basic labor + parts/shipping+ tax - deposit, trips
> all free.
>> Bal due $78.27, can have ready,delivered Thursday
> noon.
>> "Thursday! That long???"
>> "Wow....that much! Do you take installments? Can I
> make payments? I get
>> paid the 1st of the month!"
>> No,sir, we are a COD repair shop. If you want to
> have us fix and hold it
>> til the 1st of the month we will...
>> "Ohhh No! I need it now! My web (internet) TV is on
> that.I have emails!
>> I need it now! two days? That long?"
>> I said well, I am sensitive to seniors, thats why I
> waived almost 40.00
>> already, offered 48 hour service,too but I can't do
> that AND finance
>> you,sir .
>> (He wants platinum service but has no money)
>> "Well, I'll manage to get the money together
> somehow... Just bring it
>> Thursday... "
>> See what I got into?
>> Maybe I am looking at it all wrong.
>> Phil
>>
>> --
>>
>> Philip Bader
>> Jan Phyl TV Inc. (estab. 1976)
>> 3420 Recker Hwy. Winter Haven, Fl. 33880
>> Fax (863) 299-8821
>> email: tjanphyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> see our ad at:
>>
> http://jan-phyl-television-pc-monitor-service.9601288257006.worldpages-ads.com/
>
>
>
>
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